Scars Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to exposure to mustard gas at Camp Lejeune, as there is insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed exposures and their relationship to his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased disability ratings are all set to June 21, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and PTSD, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 22, 2018.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for PTSD, gunshot wound to left gastrocnemius with scar, and bronchial asthma due to lack of case or controversy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's conditions, including loss of use of diaphragm, residual scar on left torso, and sleep apnea, are related to his active duty service. However, due to lack of VA examinations and medical opinions assessing these conditions' etiology, the claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for her left wrist fracture and associated scars was denied. The highest schedular rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes has been awarded, with no indication of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee surgical scar were denied compensable ratings. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for a painful scar associated with the left meniscus tear with Baker's cyst status post total knee replacement, effective March 4, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to insufficient evidence of current employment status, failure to provide proper notice of examinations, and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is required to submit updated VA Form 21-8940 and undergo appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for scars from shrapnel wounds of the left side of the face and the left forearm, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected left shoulder posterior aspect gunshot wound (GSW) to Muscle Groups I, III, and IV with residual scars is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's service connection for colitis is granted. The initial compensable rating for benign neoplasms of the skin, scars status post benign lipoma and nevi removals, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to May 13, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for increased disability evaluations and service connection. The AOJ must obtain all relevant records from VA and non-VA providers, schedule appropriate examinations, and ensure compliance with remand instructions.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of plantar warts (claimed as HPV).,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of OSA.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of asthma.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of a back disorder.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of restless leg syndrome of the right leg.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of restless leg syndrome of the left leg.,A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral hearing loss.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left index finger limitation of range of motion with lacerated digital nerve is remanded.,An initial compensable rating for scar of the left index finger pad is remanded.,An initial compensable rating for allergic conjunctivitis is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for residual scar, chest wall thoracotomy/lobectomy and the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted a TDIU from October 31, 2020 based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his inability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his knee conditions and depressive disorder. The Board denied a TDIU prior to October 31, 2020 as there was not sufficient evidence of unemployability at that time.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including POTS, endometriosis, anemia, and breast fibroadenomas, all of which were deemed not related to the Veteran's military service or herbicide exposure.